The Men in Black - QPR v Cardiff City

Kevin Friend from Leicestershire will take charge of QPR's table topping clash against Cardiff City this weekend.

Friend was promoted to Premier League duties in 2009 and has incurred the wrath of Neil Warnock during his time - after a clanger in Crystal Palace's FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa.

So far this campaign Mr Friend has presided over 11 games, dishing out 35 yellows and three reds - giving him an average of 3.45 cards per game.

This weekend he will be assisted by Mr Robert Pollock (Merseyside) and Mr William Smallwood (Cheshire) - the fourth official will be national list official Mr Grant Hegley (Hertfordshire).

Refereeing Rangers

Mr Friend first took charge of the R's at Meadow Lane, as Kevin Gallen snatched a much-needed point but Paul Heffernan's hatrick stole the show for the Magpies. He booked three Rangers players in the process.

Later that year there was an even more important draw, where as Notts County was a point gained, the Stockport County fixture was certainly two points dropped, in a 1-1 draw. Were it not for Bristol City hitting the buffers on the same day, Rangers would have been chasing that second spot they ultimately claimed in 2004.

Having been promoted the R's faced tough opposition in Derby County, and somehow claimed a draw at Pride Park under the eyes of Mr Friend. Inigo Idiakez whistled several set pieces narrowly over Simon Royce's cross bar as the R's clung onto a point.

Gary Waddock's men travelled in more trepidation that hope to Bramall Lane as they faced Sheffield United, but somehow Rangers battled to an impressive 3-2 win, Furlong slamming home the winner. Two own goals, a Nygaard strike and five bookings in a match that had everything. Ultimately it was the only remaining joy the R's would have that season as they slumped to fourth bottom.

Once again Mr Friend saw last gasp drama as Shabazz Baidoo slotted home against Leeds United to secure a 2-2 draw at Loftus Road. On the day where Zesh Rehman was paraded around Loftus Road as the R's latest capture Rangers plugged away but looked second best throughout, before a penalty levelled matters and Baidoo was on hand to peg United back once more.

Mr Friend presided over the R's first defeat when Birmingham City beat Rangers 2-1 at St Andrews on Boxing Day, despite an excellent Lee Cook effort to draw matters level at one stage.

Fast forward to February 2008, and Rangers were riding the crest of a wave, 2-0 up against Burnley at home and looking unstoppable under Luigi De Canio. Andy Cole had different ideas, a hatrick from the ex-Manchester United and Newcastle United forward put the R`s to the sword in a 4-2 defeat.

Mr Friend oversaw the R's demolition of Southampton, as former Saint Dexter Blackstock bagged a brace in a 4-1 win. Young defender Oliver Lancashire was given his marching orders by the official for an over-zealous challenge on Damien Delaney.

He then took charge of QPR down at Plymouth Argyle as Gareth Ainsworth's QPR held the Pilgrims to a 1-1 draw at Home Park. Heidar Helguson had opened the scoring before Steve MacLean equalised late on.

There was a sizeable break in his presiding over QPR fixtures, owing to Friend becoming a select list official, but he returned to oversee a dramatic Rangers win earlier this campaign. Keiran Cadogan thought he'd hit a late leveller for Palace to cancel out Adel Taarabt's opener.

Selhurst Park was to be stunned however as Heidar Helguson snatched a winner at the death to preserve Rangers' position at the top of the Championship.